I’m so excited for today! It’s officially Sock Monkey Day, which was just the excuse I needed to share the story of a supporter of the sanctuary who started and runs a Sock Monkey Museum! No joke!
I don’t think you can be a person interested in primates and not have some awareness of sock monkeys, if not a collection of your own. For my part, I have sock monkey socks (of course), and I even made a version of a sock monkey that was supposed to be a likeness to Negra for a sanctuary auction we had in 2012 (see photos below).
Sock Monkey Museum founder Arlene and her husband Michael missed out on my sock creation, as they started supporting the sanctuary in 2013 with generosity and kind notes that accompanied their gifts. Unbeknownst to me, Arlene was already building a private collection of sock monkeys, and unbeknownst to any of us, this private collection would turn into something much bigger that would be another way to support Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
I wanted to know all about how this came to be, so I sent Arlene some questions, and she graciously took the time to answer them and send me some photos of the museum too. The physical museum is located in Long Grove, IL not too far outside of Chicago, and also has a fun online presence. You can visit the official website here and from there see the Facebook and Instagram pages too.
I hope you enjoy this slight departure on the blog and enjoy learning about this unique passion from a fellow CSNW supporter.
Here’s the Q&A:
How and why did you start the museum?
I have collected sock monkeys for about 18 years. My husband and I were traveling the country in an RV and he bought me my first one at a Cracker Barrel Store. That became our mascot on the road. I looked into the history of them and found they are part of Americana, as they started around the Great Depression and World War II, when parents didn’t have money to buy toys for their kids. So, they repurposed what they had in the house, which was the worn out red-heel work socks. I realized there was a whole generation of sock monkeys that came before mine. I started to buy them slowly, online, at garage sales, thrift shops, etc. Eventually, we had a lot at home, and one day my husband said “why don’t you take them out of the house (lol) and let people enjoy them?” That is how the idea of the Sock Monkey Museum came to be.
I’ve read that it’s not a static museum that you walk through but there are hands-on activities. What can people do while they are there?
Oh, there’s a lot to do, for all ages. The first floor has over 700 vintage sock monkeys on display. There is a 7 ft. Sock Monkey Ferris Wheel that you can start by pressing a button – it plays spins, lights up, and plays music. You can operate our trains with buttons and hear sounds like the engineers and train whistles. We hold workshops where people can come and make their own Sock Monkey from a pair of socks, the original way. We also sell kits that you can take home to make your monkey. We host tour groups and parties as well. There is also a gift shop filled with all kinds of fun sock monkey items.
The Museum is upstairs and includes sock history, from the time of cavemen. There are educational exhibits as well as fun displays, such as Solemates. People love this because it shows sock monkeys that were made to go together. Sometimes they were separated through the years, but have found each other again at our Museum. We have a Sockumentary, that tells the history of the red-heel work socks since their creation in Rockford, IL, back in 1932. There is a scavenger hunt that takes people through the whole building, and some people spend hours trying to complete.
How have you incorporated support of the sanctuary with this endeavor?
We let visitors know that we donate a portion of Museum entrance fees to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest when they come in, or when they are purchasing their admission to the Museum. Many times that begins a conversation about where CSNW is located, and we share that you have the blog everyday and suggest people take a look. We also have Burrito’s picture at the register with a sign about CSNW. We show his photo. When people see him and hear his name, it really engages people. We also have a “Chimp Change” box right under his picture and so people can donate there as well.
We designed our own custom stuffable sock monkey, named after Burrito! It’s a great way to open a conversation with people about the Chimps at CSNW and the wonderful work that you do.
(side note from Diana here – what a good job of creating more chimp-like features for this Burrito sock “monkey”! Maybe an even better job than my homemade Negra sock chimp. Maybe.)
What did you expect when starting it, and how does the reality match your expectations? What’s been the most surprising outcome?
When we started to create this, we had no idea how it would evolve. I wanted to be sure there was something that would appeal to everyone. I didn’t want to just put my sock monkeys on shelves and say “here is my collection”. The more I researched about sock monkeys, the more I found to share. Then we included the history of socks as well, to make it more comprehensive. I think the historic building that houses the Museum lends itself to the whimsical nature of the sock monkeys. Judging from the wonderful comments we receive, our visitors are really enjoying it. It is nostalgic, educational, kid-friendly and fun.
You’ve gotten a lot of publicity lately! What’s been the most exciting media story or recognition?
Being on your blog means a lot to us as we hold the Sanctuary very dear. The Guinness World Record we received last year is quite an achievement, and that has brought quite a bit of attention to the Museum. We were certified August 10, 2023, as Largest Collection of Handmade Sock Monkeys in the World (2,098 sock monkeys then, but now we have over 2200). We’ve been on tv, in People Magazine and People.com (see that story here), and even in a book called “100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die”. It’s kind of overwhelming.
Where do you go from here?
We will just be celebrating our second year in April. The Museum is evolving, as Museums do. The collection of Sock Monkeys keeps growing. As my husband says with a smile, “They keep coming”. It’s true – people donate their sock monkeys to us. Sometimes we get one sock monkey from someone who may be downsizing and it is still very important to them, with sentimental value, and they want to make sure it is still loved and appreciated. We have also received large boxes of sock monkeys from people who may be moving, or come across them. In either circumstance, it means a lot to receive them. We put them on display and love to share their history if we have that. We love them all!
We keep getting new ideas and adding to the displays, so it is fun that the Museum may be different for people that have been here before, when they come back. There is so much to see anyway, that people tell us they want to come back, which is such a nice compliment. Visitors to the Museum say it makes them happy. It brings back good memories for so many, and reminds many of their childhood, perhaps someone’s grandmother made them a sock monkey and they still have it! They may want to share that tradition with their own family now. There is so much enthusiasm for sock monkeys and their story by young and old alike. I believe we are preserving the tradition and that is very rewarding.
Huge thanks to Arlene for sharing with the sanctuary in so many ways and for creating something that brings more happiness into the world!
Virginia Keulen says
I absolutely love this!! Such fun! For some reason I’ve always liked sock monkeys. I would love to visit this museum someday. it’s great they can use some of the profits to give to CSNW.
Arlene and Michael says
Hi Virginia, we hope that you can come and visit us someday!
Cindee says
So cool! Who knew?
Arlene and Michael says
Thanks Cindee:)
Arlene Okun says
Hi Diana!!! Thank you so much for celebrating National Sock Monkey Day with us! We LOVE the side by side Burrito pictures:) It is our honor to support CSNW!
Diana says
Hi Arlene! Thanks for providing the photos and the answers. It’s so fun what you are doing!
Linda C says
Arlene, this is so fun! The second I read “you can push a button and make the Ferris wheel spin or the trains go round the track”, I thought of Ella’s Deli in Madison–did you ever make it there before they closed? Such a fun place!
I read you comments all the time here in the blog!
And I have friends in Chicago…not me googling “distance from Chicago to Long Grove”! 🙂
Arlene and Michael says
Hi Linda, oh Ella’s Deli sounds like a great place! Sad that it closed. There are many special places that were around for years and then closed and hold so many wonderful memories for people. We are not that far from Chicago at all! Hope you can come to visit and please introduce yourself from the blog. Thank you.
Linda C says
Outside the East Side location, there was a carousel for children and adults and inside, there were toys on every table. One table had a train under glass, and patrons could make the train move under-the-table glass by pushing a button on the wall. Clowns on unicycles, Bart Simpson on a skateboard. lots of toys flew over your heads on tight wires. And there were toys on the wall that moved as well. Every table had something special, a collection of pez dispensers or the magnetic toy where you could give a face eyebrows and moustache, etc. It was a unique place!
Cara says
Love this! Thank you for sharing the sock monkey museum with us!
Eli says
Very cool! I’d love to visit some day! I had no idea sock monkeys had such a long history!
Also a big thank you for using your museum to raise awareness and help the sanctuary!
Arlene and Michael says
Hi Eli thank you. Yes Sock Monkeys do have an interesting history and we love to share that with people. Awww it is our pleasure to help raise awareness too!
Arlene and Michael says
And we Love your Negra Sock Monkey, Diana! If we had seen that in an auction, we definitely would have bid on it:)
Diana says
I might have to make another some day ?
Linda C says
Please do! I was going to say what Arlene said. I like it! It’s missing her lovely pink lips bc of the color socks used, but I see what you were going for. Also, theway you draped her blanket reminds me of a stuffed ewok that I had as a teen (Wicket from Star Wars 3)!
Tobin says
Diana,
Great job on the Negra sock chimp. The blanket makes all the difference, and I trust that Her Majesty was honored.
Kathleen says
I loved this post! What an effort of love. The museum sounds like fun and if I am ever on a road trip in the vicinity I will definitely stop in. (Long Grove looks beautiful!) Especially since you so generously donate a portion of your proceeds to CSNW. It’s wonderful!
And Diana, I think you need to get making sock chimps of all the gang! Your Negra version is fabulous. Profile photo seems to have captured dear Negra’s slump of comfort and contentment.
Thank you Arlene and Michael. I learned a great deal today and I had fun perusing your website. To flip the main attraction theme, I think you need to add a section to your museum on how much the chimps enjoy wearing socks. I bet Missy and Jamie would be happy to model. 😉
Linda C says
Good idea, Kathleen!
Arlene and Michael says
Thank you Kathleen. I know you from the blog as well so it would be lovely to meet you in person if you come by the Museum sometime. Downtown Long Grove is a cute, historic town. We have had 3 Christmas movies filmed in town already with a 4th scheduled in April! Glad you enjoy the Sock Monkey Museum website. I love your idea to share about the Chimps wearing socks!!!
JOAN SILACO says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS STORY! ALWAYS HELPFUL WHEN YOU CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TOO. I PICKED UP A FEW VARIOUS MONKEY/CHIMP TYPE OF STUFFED ANIMALS FROM THE COLLECTIBLE SHOPS LATELY, AND NOW I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM. I’M TRYING TO FIND HOMES FOR ALL MY COLLECTABLE STUFF AS IT IS, BECAUSE I’M GETTING OLD AND I DON’T HAVE ANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO PASS STUFF DOWN TO. I DONATE A LOT OF STUFF TO RAISE MONEY FOR ANIMAL CAUSES, BUT I STILL CAN’T PASS UP A STUFFED CRITTER, WHEN I KNOW THEY NEED A HOME TO MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY, THAN JUST BEING LEFT THERE ON THE SHELF. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Linda C says
If they’re in great shape, Toys for Tots (Marines collect toys for kids at Christmas). Also, a local women’s shelter. Often, kids and their mom have to clear out at a moment’s notice in cases of donestic violence, taking little to nothing with them. Children love stufffies, and they’d be a comfort to small children who are going through a scary time. And maybe your local DCYF or chirch has a similar place to donate.
Eli says
Seconding this. Also I recommend checking organizations that help out children in the foster care system. Many of them end up moving from place to place with very little except the clothes on their backs. There are organizations that put together care packages for them and stuffed animals are often a great addition and provide comfort for children going through a traumatic situation!
Linda C says
A great idea, Eli!
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
What a brilliant suggestion, Linda, especially a womens shelter. Every little comfort is priceless and hugging a little stuffed toy can help so much!
Linda C says
I imagine most moms would grab their child’s favorite stffie no matter the circumstances. But nothing wrong with an extra!
Arlene and Michael says
Hi Joan, oh I can sympathize with your dilema about finding it hard to pass up the plushies that need a home. That is why I have the Sock Monkey Museum lol so happy we found a way to keep them and share them:) That’s wonderful that you donate to raise money for animal causes.
Maureen says
Absolutely wonderful! Thank you for this story and all that goes with it. My family and I have long been collectors of various items and it’s so great to see one turned into something so valuable. Diana, I also loved the Negra sock monkey. Hadn’t seen it before this or I’d have bought it immediately! And, yes, so wonderful that the museum is contributing to CSNW, and that the museum is letting people learn about it and about our dear Burrito!
Arlene and Michael says
Thank you Maureen, for your kind words – we have visitors who have their own collections and so it’s interesting to learn about what they enjoy collecting as well.
We love sharing about CSNW, Burrito and everyone there too.
Adrienne says
Heartfelt congratulations on your museum, Arlene and Michael! It’s lovely and must be a real fun to spend a couple of hours browsing among the monkeys. I must admit this is the first time I ever hear about sock monkeys – we don’t have them at all here in Hungary (our grandparents used to make children’s toys out of corncob), but I fell in love with them immediately, and I’m sure I’ll make my own sock monkey soon myself. Thank you for the idea, for supporting the sanctuary and for sharing your story, and I wish you even more adorable and unique sock monkeys and plenty of visitors in the future!
Linda C says
They’re more than just toys now. I’ve seen people skiing and snowbarding in snow suits that look like sock monkeys! (I forgot the name they gave him).:smile:
Kathleen says
Ahh yes, Linda! You are thinking of the famous monkey face (who is named Julius!) created by CA artist Paul Frank. I love his work. “Julius” could have a place in the Sock Monkey Museum, too.,
Arlene and Michael says
Yes! We have two parts to the actual Museum – History and Pop Culture. We have some information on Paul Frank and one of the Julius sock monkeys too:)
Paulette says
What a fun post! I still have my sock monkey from when I was 12 years old. I was in the hospital and my doctor bought it from the gift shop for me. I’m 68 now so he (Rudy) is 56 years old now!
Diana says
Wow, Paulette! I love that you kept your sock monkey for that long. Thanks for sharing that story.